Glass Secrets
Page 1
Glass
Secrets
Book 2 of The Shattered Cove Series
A. M. Kusi
This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, organizations, events, and incidents are either products of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental. Any trademarks, product names, service marks, and named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are only used for references
Copyright © 2020 by A. M. Kusi.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified, distributed, stored, transmitted in any form or by any means, or adapted without the prior written consent of the authors and publisher.
Published by A. M. Kusi 2020
amkusinovels@gmail.com
Visit our website at www.amkusi.com
Editor: Anna Bishop of CREATING ink
Sensitivity Edit: Renita McKinney of A Book A Day
Proofreader: Judy’s Proofreading
Cover Design: Regina Wamba of ReginaWamba.com
Formatting: Archangel Ink
ISBN: 978-1-949781-15-1
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Other Books by A. M. Kusi
A Fallen Star
(Book 1 in The Shattered Cove Series)
Defying Gravity
(Book 3 in The Shattered Cove Series)
The Orchard Inn
(Book 1 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)
Conflict of Interest
(Book 2 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)
Her Perfect Storm
(Book 3 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)
For a complete list of all our books, visit:
www.amkusi.com/books
“Grief never ends, but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love.”
– Unknown
“Trauma compromises our ability to engage with others by replacing patterns of connection with patterns of protection.”
– Stephen Porges
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Epilogue
Sneak Peek of Defying Gravity
Thank You
About A. M. Kusi
Also by A. M. Kusi
Prologue
Andre
Nine months ago
Andre’s soaking wet Henley clung to his skin. His flesh prickled with goose bumps as he made his way home. It had been a long day. He glanced at the clock and winced. Late. He pressed his foot a little harder on the gas pedal and shivered. After cranking up the heat, he tapped impatiently on the wheel as a school bus pulled in front of him. He sighed. This day just keeps getting better. All Andre wanted was a hot shower and to see his girlfriend’s smile. Tiffany should be back from her business trip by now.
As he parked his truck into the driveway, sure enough, there was her car. Large boxes and suitcases were stuffed inside—red flag number one. The weight on his shoulders grew even heavier. Here we go again. What could he have done this time? He hadn’t seen her in a week because of her job, but he’d made sure to text or try to call her every day like she wanted—even though she’d rarely answered.
Andre got out of the truck and ran through the rain as it pelted against him. He was quick to enter the house and close the door, shielding himself from the elements of the fall rainstorm before he unlaced his work boots.
“Baby?” he called, hesitantly.
“In here,” Tiffany answered from the kitchen.
He finished stacking his boots neatly in the entryway and walked in to greet her. She was perched on a barstool, a box of tissues in her hand—red flag number two. He needed a hot shower to soothe his frozen, aching muscles before dealing with one of her famous meltdowns.
His friends had never understood why he stayed with her through their rocky five-year relationship. The heart wants what the heart wants. He tried to hold on to the good memories, the reason he’d fallen head over heels for Tiff as he approached her cautiously.
She sat downcast at the breakfast bar in their kitchen, looking like someone had just killed her puppy. She flicked her eyes up to his before focusing back to her perfectly manicured hands. He’d have to comfort her before he could get into the shower, putting his needs aside to take care of her. Again.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m . . . I’m pregnant,” she said, sniffling.
He stood frozen as a wave of mixed emotions washed over him—fear, confusion, and excitement. He hadn’t planned on having a kid this early in his life, but it could very well be the best thing that ever happened to him. Maybe this could help fix their relationship. Things had been rough, but she was the same girl he’d fallen in love with—and a baby? That was a miracle. Look at his little sister and Lyra. Remy had been a single mother for the first five years of Lyra’s life before his brother-in-law pulled his head out of his ass.
He ran a hand over his wet head. “That’s great. I mean . . . a baby? Wow. How? We’ve been so careful.”
She swallowed, looking at the counter. Shit. He’d already gone and messed this up.
“I’m not blaming you, babe. It’s just so unexpected. This is great!” He put his hand on her belly and she flinched, shaking her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dre, it’s not yours.”
It’s. Not. Yours.
The words echoed in his mind. The air sucked from his lungs. Unable to draw breath, he clutched his chest. Surely this was a joke. Tiffany was the one. Sure, they had their fair share of ups and downs, but didn’t every relationship?
“What do you mean?” he asked as he held on to the counter to steady his trembling legs.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to find out this way.” Tears streamed down her face as she reached out to him.
He backed away. “Find out that you’ve been cheating on me? How long?”
She looked away again.
“How long!” he shouted.
“A year.” Her voice was just above a whisper.
She’d been seeing someone for over a year and he’d had no idea. She’d been lying to him. How could I be so stupid? She’d made a fool of h
im.
“All those business trips,” he said aloud, everything clicking into place. The shock of it all morphed into rising anger. She’d betrayed him.
“Dre—”
He held up his hand. “Just leave, Tiffany.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I was sick of being here without anyone giving me attention.”
“Don’t you dare fucking blame this on me,” he roared. “You made a series of choices, and then you fucked another man behind my back and lied to me for a year. Get out of my house and don’t come back.”
She nodded before placing his key on the counter.
Water dripped from his soaked clothes, pooling where he stood like a statue, stone cold, as his whole world crumbled beneath him. Her heels clicked on the tiles as she walked out of his life for good. He braced himself for the slam of the door, but it never came. Hollow silence filled his home. Tears burned his eyes as he swallowed the lump of grief. He wouldn’t waste any more time or energy on her.
Andre stalked to his bathroom, stripping off his clothes before he entered the hot spray of the shower. His heart was fractured, breaking apart. How could he have not known? Flashes of all the times she’d been on her phone and full of smiles or taking calls out of earshot of him came back with a vengeance. He had never even thought to check her phone. Because I believed in her. He’d given her his trust and his loyalty and where had that gotten him?
He’d been made the fool again. His high-school girlfriend, Teresa, had screwed half the football team before he’d found out. He’d thought that had been a one-off. Apparently not.
Anger radiated through him. He was done with women. He was done with liars. He was just done giving a fuck about anyone but his family and friends. It was safer for his heart that way. He’d never be taken advantage of and played for a fool again.
Chapter 1
Mia
The thud of her shoes hitting the pavement became hypnotic as Mia worked hard to control her breathing. Birds chirped, and the mist began to clear. The rising sun coated her surroundings in an orange glow. This was the best time of day—when everything was mostly quiet, and she could push her body and expel her fears through her sweat.
Her shoulders ached as she pumped her arms a little harder, a little faster. Perhaps she shouldn’t have unpacked all those boxes yesterday. But there was no one else to help her do it. After the movers kindly placed her furniture where she needed it, she’d gotten straight to work unpacking. Busyness helped to keep her from thinking too much. Because thinking leads to remembering.
Her legs burned as she rounded the corner onto the street where she now lived. Heavy footfalls echoed behind her.
Dios mío. She was alert, as always—every muscle aware that someone was approaching fast from behind. She turned her face quickly, catching a glimpse of a man getting closer. Her shoulders dropped, tension fading. She recognized him. How could she not? He was at least six feet, and muscled to perfection. She’d watched as he exited his truck all sexy and focused the night before. He’d pulled off his shirt, his dark skin glinting from the sun and sweat.
Her handsome new neighbor spoke. “Passing on your right.”
“Good morning.” She smiled, but he only increased his speed and sprinted ahead of her. Maybe he hadn’t heard her? He had earbuds in. Oh well, at least now she had a better view of that tight backside.
Mia pushed herself the remaining several hundred yards to her new home, then trudged up the stairs and into the house, forcing her lead limbs. She grabbed a glass and pushed it into the door of the fridge dispenser. The icy liquid eased down her throat, cooling her body from the inside out. Her muscles were tired, but endorphins were taking over as she gulped fresh oxygen. Time to stretch.
She picked a yoga mat from one of the packing boxes, and opened the French doors leading to the backyard. Whoever had lived here before had kept the landscaping simple. A few flower bushes and trees created a natural line around the bungalow property. A large rectangular pool was the focal point. Maybe she’d go for a swim after her yoga.
Mia started with some simple moves, bending to her knees as she reached her hands out, and stretching her back in extended puppy pose. Breathing deeply, she inhaled light and exhaled her worries. She was intentional, planning her day, giving herself goals and a to-do list.
As she glided through her poses, the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She was being watched. After one more sun salutation, she glanced around, catching a glimpse of him on the second-floor balcony of his house.
His lips flattened and his brow furrowed. He seemed downright angry and snarling. A flurry of confused butterflies swirled in her belly. She waved, breaking their awkward staring contest, hoping her smile would set him at ease.
He turned quickly, entering his house, seemingly ignoring her. Well, okay then. Who pissed in his cornflakes?
“Sometimes it’s the people who deserve kindness the least who need it the most.” Her mother’s words echoed in her mind. Maybe she should properly introduce herself. Her mamá’s recipe for polvorones was irresistible, and something told her she could use the sweet gift as the perfect icebreaker for her grumpy new neighbor.
***
After a shower and a quick change into some cutoffs and a faded T-shirt, she pulled her dark brown hair into a ponytail. First on her agenda was coffee, and then groceries.
As she drove along the road of the quiet neighborhood, a feeling of calm settled over her. Kids were laughing and throwing Frisbees or playing catch with their dogs. The houses were all well-kept and lawns neatly manicured. How long had she wished she could live in a place like this? Too bad her mother wasn’t there to see she’d actually made it happen.
Mia switched on the radio. A few of the latest hits blasted out as she headed towards town. The woods on her right opened up, and the beautiful coastline was breathtaking. Green-blue waves crashed onto the rocky shore. Mia rolled down the window, inhaling the salty air. The urge to pull over and dip her toes in the cool water was overwhelming. She slowed as she rounded the corner. A blue car was parked at the edge of the road with smoke billowing out of the propped-open hood. A woman with black hair held a baby and was staring off towards the waves.
Mia pulled behind the car and parked before getting out. “Are you alright?”
The woman turned, wiping away fresh tears as her cheeks blushed. “Oh, sorry. Uh . . .” The baby she held started to cry. Her mother shifted to bounce and rock the child.
“Are you alright?” Mia repeated, stepping closer.
“No. I’m sorry. I’m not usually a crier. It’s just been a really tough . . . year,” she said as if she was trying to remember a time when life wasn’t hard. Mia could relate. The baby drifted off to sleep, seemingly calmed by her mother’s voice.
“We all have bad days. Can I help? I can give you a ride. I was just on my way into town anyways,” Mia offered.
A spark of hope lit the woman’s almond-shaped eyes. “Would you mind? I don’t want to sit around waiting for my brother to find a tow. You can drop me off at my sister-in-law’s café. It’s right on Main Street.”
“Absolutely. I needed some coffee anyways. I’m Mia.” She reached out her hand.
“Jasmine, and this is Zoey.” The woman shook her hand.
“She’s beautiful. How old?” Mia asked as they walked towards their vehicles.
“Almost seven months.”
Mia helped secure the car seat, following Jasmine’s detailed directions. After Jasmine laid the sleeping baby down and buckled her in, they headed towards town.
“Do you live around here?” Jasmine tucked a black tendril of hair behind her ear.
“Yes, just moved in yesterday.”
“Oh, where are you from?”
“California. I needed a change of pace but I wanted to be by the ocean, so New Hampsh
ire it was.” Mia gave her the carefully practiced answer that stayed as close to the truth as possible while omitting the important details.
“That’s a long way from home. What do you do for work?” Jasmine asked.
“I’m opening a yoga studio.”
“Yoga? Sounds interesting, but I don’t think it’s really my thing.”
“Well, when the studio opens, you’ll have to come check it out. I’d be happy to teach you. I’d love to have company in the meantime. Free sessions until the studio opens. It’s a great way to ground yourself. It’s helped me deal with stressful life moments.” She hoped she wasn’t giving too much of herself away, but this was the reason she taught yoga in the first place.
Jasmine seemed thoughtful. “Maybe.”
Mia smiled. She felt a pull towards this woman for some reason. Maybe she and Jasmine had something in common.
“Do you have any family in the area?” Jasmine asked.
“No. It’s uh . . . just me.”
“Mine are gone too,” Jasmine said as their gazes met.
“You said you had a brother?” Mia asked, turning onto Main Street.
Jasmine nodded. “Yeah, two actually. Mikel is married to Remy. She owns the Stardust Café—right here on the left. You can park anywhere. And Bently is the oldest.”
Mia did as she directed.
“What about you? Any siblings?” Jasmine asked, unbuckling herself and gathering the diaper bag.
“Nope. Just me.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without my brothers. Especially Bently, the oldest. He basically raised me, and then he jumped in to help me when I found out I was pregnant.”
“Oh. Zoey’s dad isn’t in the picture?” Mia asked.
Jasmine hesitated and drew in a breath. “No.”
There was a story there. Mia reached out her hand instinctively to comfort her. “I was raised by a single mom, and though I always missed my dad, she gave me enough love for the both of them.” Mia smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “I liked hearing about you and your family. I’d be happy to be a listening ear if you ever need to talk.”